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10:
Monsters
Sans, Asriel, Gaster
(Third POV)
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As soon as his flower was tucked in, Sans breathed a deep sigh as he leaned against the wall, fingering his teeth. Sans knew it was wrong, but he needed that tiny kiss. After the afternoon he had, Sans doubted anyone would fault him.
Sans released a growl; the memory of the discussion with Gaster caused the anger to burn through his veins anew:
When he and Error popped in the code room, the mad scientist was there with a grin with his hands neatly folded in front of him. Gaster's sole purple pupil was glowing with a mad excitement as he took in the other two skeletal monsters with heated glares blazing behind their sockets.
The scientist was waiting for them. Sans growled along with Error as that realization hit him.
Gaster let a giddy giggle out as he stepped forward. The white skeleton balled his fists tighter and tighter with each step the wild-eyed male took. Sans could see his excitement grow as he neared. His whispery voice echoed through the usually quiet but humming room.
"Ah, my boys. I'm so happy to see you! Are you here to help me get the human's soul?"
The memory of Gaster's bone-chilling tone sent a shiver down G's spine as he opened his eyes, meeting the worried ambers of his friend.
Sans flinched at the look in Asriel's eyes, walking to a small living room and sitting on a musky couch. He knew what was coming, and even if he knew he had to know, the skeleton didn't want to relive the meeting. It was too creepy to think about again.
The headache grew as the memory crept into his mind, the fear slowly clawed at his non-existent gut while he thought back to the memories, the horrifying memories Sans wanted so much to forget. But he couldn't run away from them. They were like ghosts, haunting him.
They were like demons, monsters, in the dark:
The way Gaster gushed over the details of his torturous plans for the kind human, the way he detailed how he would save the whole monster race with her soul.
Sans growled deeply at his tone as he told them his plans like Gaster was an excited child explaining their gifts from Christmas Day.
That giddy tone sent the heated feel of bile up his throat. All the details were dancing through the walls of his mind, replaying like a bad song.
The only relief came when Asriel's voice cut through those thoughts, bringing his eyes to the snowy goat's troubled expression.
"You went to confront Gaster, didn't you?" Asriel required, coming to sit on a chair's arm. His skeletal friend nodded fast, fighting the growing headache as his whispered reply filled the room.
"Yep, and he is even more insane than I remembered. You were fucking right, As."
The other monsters' hunch was correct. Gaster was just waiting for an opening into the game. A door to control the situation, get what he wanted, and Sans' stupidly gave him a chance.
And Gaster didn't waste a moment to rub that fact in his face as he taunted him, detailing the plans he had for not only him but his entire family and his beloved.
He shuddered deeply at one thing the madman said, causing Error to try to attack the grinning skeleton, growling like a caged wolf that just watched their pup get killed. But the scientist was thinking ahead, poofing out of the way and letting another whisper out:
"Think about it, boys. The humans were the ones who killed millions. So why can't we kill one measly human to save the monsters? Then, with her soul, we can become the new master race."
"Are you crazy?! Why would we kill her when I was the one that came to you for the strength to protect her?!"
In response, Gaster just giggled, dodging Error's second crazed attack with ease before he moved to Sans' face, his grin growing as his eyes met his.
"If you wanted to save her, then you shouldn't have come to me. Should you?"
And Gaster was correct. Sans was the reason he was targeting Frisk. But Sans'd be damned if Gaster would get a hand on her.
He will kill him if he gets an inch close to her. Hell, if he gets in ten feet from her, he will blast his ass to the moon and back. Father or not, he would die if he hurt her.
But then again, Gaster hasn't been the loving father of the brothers' youth for a long time now. Now, he was blinded by his goals to bring the monster race into a brand-new age. He shuddered, remembering how the mad skeletal monster raged about the humans.
Yes, Sans might be the reason Gaster was in her life now, but he won't be the reason he stayed there. Once for the crazy black skeleton, the strength was now for protecting his sweetheart from his father's torturous experiments. He wouldn't care what he had to do. Sans will do anything to keep his Frisk with him:
Sans would go through hell and back for the beautiful flower, slaughtering each monster that threatens her as they come. Even if that turns him into a true nightmare. He will become anything if it means protecting his sweetheart. Just protect her to the end of the world because he was nothing without her.
If the skeleton was an honest being, Sans just wanted to lock her away from the danger, but Sans knew that would cause more trouble than not. So, he breathed out through his teeth while a shout sounded through the tiny room.
"No! What will we do? It sounds like he's planning to do even more to her, to play with us." Asriel questioned, his worry grew.
Sans tightened a fist in his lap before speaking through teeth clenched so hard. They crashed with every word. The hatred for the mad scientist grew as the thoughts rushed back to the skeleton, clenching and unclenching his fists with the gritted statement:
"Is it obvious, Asriel? I'm going with you."
This terse statement wasn't meant for his friend. But, it was his anger toward Gaster and himself, remembering he still was the demon he was from his past. He tried to be that male Frisk needed him to be, with the demons still sitting in his mind laughing along the way.
But he knew he wouldn't be able to fight the monsters. The demons would always be with him, clawing at his mind and reminding him of his sins. Of all his mistakes, the haunting mistakes followed the skeleton everywhere he went. They were reminding him not to be again if he could help it.
He pinched the bridge of his nasal edge before the male was woke from those tormenting thoughts by the furry hand of his soul brother. In a daze, he met his smiling eyes. Kneeling, Asriel pulled him into a huge hug:
"Of course, you will, Sans. I never figured you'd stay here when we found her. It'll be okay."
in
Sans smiled sadly, tightening his hold, wishing he could believe those words. But he knew he always would be there for his sweetheart. He would always protect her because he would never want to be without her again.
The males stayed in the embrace for a few more moments, seeking some calm before they moved forward and onto more pressing matters. Like protecting the soon-to-be princess on the way, on the dangerous path to the Monster King:
Like Sans wanted to earlier, they wanted to keep the flower safe in the snowy town where they could easily protect her. However, the two males knew they couldn't.
Not if they wanted their flower to remember who she was. They both knew that this journey would be more challenging than any they faced before, knowing the dangers the group would meet this time around. But they needed to go. They had to let her go and just follow her like a small pack of wolves:
This journey was important, not only for themselves but for their Frisk. Frisk was always smart—she should have felt something was off. She somehow knew she was not whole. Something was missing in her heart. She sensed that she was missing something. And with every step, Frisk was closer to the part she needed to find, which would make her whole once more.
So, with that thought in their mind, they prepared to part. First, however, Asriel moved on to another worrying fact for him. Then, with a deep breath, the prince chewed his bottom lip before the question fell from his mouth:
"Do you trust the broken skeleton? He might be working with Gaster."
Sans chuckled, moving to the closest window as he crossed his arms.
It was true that Sans had gained some trust in the black skeleton, especially seeing him launch himself at the crazed scientist for her. But, the male couldn't take any risks. Not now, not with his past encounters with the broken skeleton filling his mind. And he knew that the other skeletal male wouldn't hold that against him.
The white skeleton did not doubt that Error would do the same for Frisk if he were in his place. Sans always felt a link to him other than the one all the Sanes have to one another, but a link from their feelings for their beloved ones.
So, with a slightly confident grin dancing across his sharp fangs, he turned to his best friend with his hands stuffed coolly in his pockets; his thumb stroking the red gold locket he had made for her as he spoke:
"Look, Asriel, I know he didn't give us a reason to trust him before, but he showed us a side he rarely shows."
"Sans, don't be so naïve. He—" The skeleton held up a hand and walked to him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"He could have killed her three years ago, Asy. He had the opportunity to take her many times before she fell, but he didn't. So, no, I don't trust him fully—I'm not even asking you to either. But, you got to admit, if he's just playing us, he is a surprisingly good actor."
Asriel growled, looking away. He knew his words held some truth. Like Sans, the prince had to think back to that day and saw that Error could easily have killed Frisk or taken her without them knowing. And Asriel had to see he didn't. Instead, he gave them all a second chance.
And if Asriel were honest, deep inside, he would always be thankful to Error for that.
But that doesn't mean he liked the cheeky skeleton. On the contrary, he worriedly saw a lot of his former self in him. The goat knew it might make him a hypocrite, but he didn't care. This was his sister; Asriel couldn't afford to take any risks with her safety. He couldn't.
As his paw moved to his necklace, he voiced that to his friend, earning a chuckle from him as he pressed something cold into his free hand. Sans smiled again before he moved to the stairs with a hand up in the air:
"I was hoping you would say that."
With that, Sans faded from his young friend's sight while he just stood there in the snow. He moved his sockets to the lit window with a small smile.
"I'll protect you, Frisk, and soon it'll be over."
Sans grinned at the thought of him finally being able to hold the beautiful flower again. Then, with a grounding sigh, Sans stepped into the small living room as the scent of spaghetti filled the walls. So, Paps was home, he figured.
"Bro, you still home?"
"Ah, S—G, you are home just in time for breakfast!" He heard Papyrus's cheerful tone hummed out as his boots sounded into the tiny kitchen. He chuckled before replying, taking a seat at the counter:
"Spaghetti, again, I guess?" Sans teased lightly, folding his hands on the smooth surface before a tensed growl filled the silence.
"SANS THE SKELETON! DON'T TEASE ME!"
The older brother gave a loud laugh while his tall, naïve brother set a full plate in front of him with a dagger-like glare in his sockets.
Moments like this were a light in the darkness, reminding him that he was just a monster being. Not a monster, a creature just hanging onto the seething anger in his heart. Stumbling through the world, not letting anyone in along the way, always on his own.
But, no, he was Sans. A brother, a fiercely protective monster to those who he loved. He might have some darkness within him, but moments like this taught Sans that he could overcome that darkness and become a better monster for Frisk. Inner demons are damned:
"Frisk hasn't changed one bit." Papyrus cheered slightly at that. Sans shook himself from his thoughts as he noticed Paps moving to the seat next to him, a smile stretching over his face.
"Of course, she hasn't. This is Frisk we're talking about, after all."
"That is true, but I sensed something off about her. When we were alone, her guard was up, always careful not to get too close to me. But when the prince came, the human relaxed. Is she all right?"
The slightly taller Sans filched slightly at that question, remembering Frisk's faded demons. The abuse still affected her, it seems. She was still cautious, no matter how much she wanted to help them. Frisk didn't trust the monsters she ran into alone. He sighed as another thought came to him.
She still was on guard around monsters she doesn't know, he mused as he cut a meatball while he answered his brother:
"Frisk's been through a lot before falling here, bro. We need to be patient with—"
He didn't finish that thought as his fork crashed against the plate; his eyes grew wide.
But, Sans startled with realization, she hugged him without hesitation, without worry. Frisk just hugged him with a sweet smile. She seemed to trust him, even though she barely had memories of the skeleton or anyone for that matter:
Frisk was just too broken to see how she really meant to everyone here. She didn't remember them yet, clinging to the ones she knew and trusted. But once Frisk saw him, she rushed into a hug, not caring.
Did she recognize who he was?
Sans stared at his plate, his thoughts were rushing with possible answers, but no answers came to him. He was just sitting there in shock, recalling the feeling of her arms around his neck. The touch held no hesitation. She just hugged the skeleton happily like they were old friends.
Frisk was slowly coming back to him. Though the fog and mud in her mind, she was coming to him. That thought brought a grin to his face before Papyrus's voice finally woke him back to reality.
"Brother? Are you all right? You spaced out on me."
Sans shook the rushing thoughts off before he shifted his glowing gaze on the other skeleton, a yellow tint blazing across his cheeks as he cleared his throat, calming the growing feeling and the power glowing from his socket before he smiled and answered quietly:
"I'm fine, bro. I just remembered something, don't worry." Sans smiled once more before turning to his meal, not noticing the knowing smile on his brother's face.
"She is remembering you, isn't she, brother?" Paps asked teasingly, earning a chuckle as he moved his sockets to the window to watch the snow dance.
"I don't know, bro, I don't know. But what I know is that I love her even more than I thought I could." He paused to shift his gaze back onto his beloved brother with a soft smile dancing across his teeth, "I thought I loved her before, but that was nothing against what I feel about her now."
And it was true. In some way or other, Sans always loved the girl.
However, this feeling was burning so intensely. Sans knew for complete certainty now he loved her now. And nothing was going to change that. He was at her mercy, and as much as that was scary, Sans was okay with the fact. He smiled at the thought before Papyrus's woke him again:
"Of course, you do, brother. That is obvious." He chuckled, taking a bite while a brief silence fell upon the males.
The older brother laughed as he pushed the plate away and leaned an elbow on the surface, rolling his sockets playfully at Pap's teasing tone.
"Okay, okay, bro. But I'm worried that Gaster will get to her. How will I be able to protect her from literally a code master?"
Sans told everyone about Gaster when he decided to deal with him. He sometimes regretted telling them that. But Sans knew he had to if the deal went wrong; Sans knew that. But, on the other hand, he could understand why they were so angry.
His family never saw why he wanted to be indebted to the terrifying skeleton just for something Sans apparently already had.
But at the time, the eldest Skeleton Brother couldn't see that fact. All Sans cared about was being able to protect Frisk when she returned:
He didn't know much about Gaster's powers. All Sans knew was the old man could rewrite any timeline anytime he wanted. But for an unknown reason, Gaster didn't always decide to torture the monsters. Many a time, the code master just watched, planning his next trick, his next move.
But now, the mad scientist wanted to play with them. Just to remind his little boy that he was still there. And he could take everything Sans ever loved.
Papyrus barked out a laugh at that, startling him from those thoughts. The younger skeleton grinned reassuringly as he patted his shoulder.
"Brother, if anyone can protect her, it is you. And don't forget, you aren't alone this time. If necessary, you got Prince Asriel and me, The Great Papyrus, too. Don't worry, for you are my beloved big brother. Nothing can beat you. Nyeh hehe he!"
That sent all the worry out of his bones. Fiery resolve replaced it instead. San couldn't be sure how this run would end, but the male knew he would protect Frisk with everything he was.
He would show the mad scientist that he shouldn't underestimate his son.
Sans vowed as he traced the cracks on his face, smiling before the plate was manipulated to the sink, and he stood from his seat.
"Well, bro, I'm going to bed. I need to wake up in a few hours to meet As and Frisk. See you in Waterfall." Sans grinned, slapping Pap's shoulder as he passed by on the way to his room.
He closed his door behind him after a few minutes, sighing as he walked to the window by his bed. Sans knew he needed to sleep, but the skeleton's mind wouldn't let him right now, so the male figured he would just sit by while the clock ticked to the sunless morning.
Sans' pupilless sockets moved to the mock stars on the cave's ceiling, smiling at the memory of the first time Frisk revealed the night's diamonds:
Sans! Look! I told you I'd fulfill my promise.
The giddy memory fueled the fire building in his chest to see the stars with his entire family and to live out this final run. Sans smile grew into a grin as his palm met the cool glass:
"I promise you. We will see the stars again, dove."
He let the vow slip from his mouth as he moved to the bed, exhaustion finally grasping his bones, but a smile still was spread across his sharp teeth.
"I promise, I will save you."
And with that one last vow, the skeleton slipped under sleep's spell. The sound of the clock is slowly silenced as the darkness develops him. Sans' smile stayed as the male slumbered.
-.-.-.-.-
Asriel's amber eyes took in the simple locket, the feelings of uncertainty and melodic happiness. Why did Sans give this to him?
But as the goat stared at the small red heart, the answer escaped his grasp. Asriel sighed, rubbing his aching head and cursing Sans a bit for leaving him with no instructions. After a few, Asriel opened the heart, the soft melody of the Waterfall Music box swirling around the room for a moment as a male's voice steadily faded into the tune:
You have been alone,
Waiting for your heart,
To return.
I'm sorry that I left you for so long,
But I'm here now,
Let me hold you tight and close.
Your heart is here,
Always filled with determination,
To help you see me,
I'm here.
Asriel's eyes went wide for a bit as he recognized the voice. But then they went soft as the male smiled. Sans always prides himself on being harsh, but the more delicate side overcomes the mighty strength when Frisk enters the picture. And this necklace was another piece of proof of that fact.
He wanted her to know that he loved her. Even if in the smallest of ways. But Asriel grinned as he moved to Frisk's peaceful figure, there isn't a rule against giving her gifts.
As chuckled deeply before he laid the necklace next to her head, whispering to the sleeping girl.
"You are pretty loved, Frisk. I hope you will learn just how much soon."
-.-.-.-.-
The cloak-clad scientist laughed maddeningly, watching the two males through his code as a grin grew over his cracked face while he waved a hand over the images. Then, after the vision faded, Gaster turned to the middle with his hands folded behind his back.
This would be fun.
The kids will give him endless entertainment before he reminds them who is the real king here. Gaster laughed at that thought; his insanity slowly grew a bit as he raised his arms to the ceiling. Then, he grinned as he screamed out to the code-filled room, vowing to the Gods:
"I will show you all that true power is, who is the new God!"
As the eerie wind carried that threatening statement to the outside sky, Gascackled loudly, fading into his code. Gaster's mind was only filled with grand plans for his new human-free world.
Monsters will rule as the master race after being locked away from the beautiful sun for a thousand years. Now, the code master would finally show the monsters the way. After that, he hoped Sans and Papyrus would understand why lovely Frisk had to die.
She was clouding their view to the truth. They will see this was for the best, not only for them but all monsters. She had to die, just like the other filthy humans.